serendipity
Serendipity is such a lovely sounding word. For many years I didn't know what it meant, and didn't trouble to find out simply because I feared it may not have an equally lovely meaning. I still think it could be the smell of fresh apples, or the name of a gentle game of cards, or a word for dappled sunshine coming through leaves.
But now I now both the dictionary and the real meaning of serendipity. On Saturday I took Alain de Botton's How Proust Can Change Your Life down from the shelf where it has been sitting for ten years and read it in one day. It is accessible, gentle, clever, witty philosophy (the best sort, I think) and A de B comes across as a highly empathetic, thoughtful person with a sophisticated sense of humour.
After finishing the book, and while I was full of admiration for someone who has actually read Proust, I looked at A de B's website and there I made a serendipitous discovery. And so it was that last night I made up for missing A de B a few weeks ago by hearing him talk on 'The Architecture of Happiness' at an event organised by one of my favourite London booksellers, Daunt Books, in the building below, opposite the one above. (I was preparing for the talk by looking at the archictecture of the evening.)
It was all I had hoped it would be. A de B is astoundingly articulate and yet incredibly personable. He doesn't dumb-down, but neither does he talk down - he's just a great communicator of ideas. He's also a very clear thinker who encourages you to go further in your thought processes than you would normally. This is what I always found so difficult whenever I studied philosophy, but now I realise that's because the ideas were often presented in such abstract terms as to be meaningless to me. A de B is helping me to understand how to apply philosophy usefully and meaningfully, and not simply think thoughts about ideas.
And, after last night, I don't really believe that it's a matter of serendipity that Alain de Botton also makes a great literary pin-up - of the mild, bespectacled, professorial type.
This is the picture I want blown up and blu-tacked onto my wall, while I get on with the next book.
I'm so glad for your serendipitous event! I recall how disappointed you were to have missed his talk earlier.
I clearly have to look for some of his writings. Thank you.
Posted by: Kathleen C. | July 18, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Back in my French literature phase I read Swann's Way - that was as far as I could get with Proust. Now I can see that I'll have to give Alain de Botton a try to see what I missed.
Actually, when you said you wanted that picture on your wall while you got on with the next book, I thought you meant YOUR next book. Which seemed very industrious of you!
Posted by: mesclun | July 18, 2007 at 05:52 PM
You should read de Botton's "The Art of Travel," too. He really is indeed wonderfully thought-provoking.
Another way Proust can change your life:
http://kittbo.blogspot.com/search/label/Proust
Posted by: Kitt | July 18, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Ah! You were in my stomping ground and very close to the best coffee in London (http://www.mynottinghill.co.uk/nottinghilltv/restaurants-review-armadillo-cafe.htm)
I've often admired the People's Hall. Did you know it and the surrounding area had a very interesting history? Take a look here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frestonia).
Posted by: Noo | July 18, 2007 at 06:30 PM
It's a great book isn't it. I've got the Art of Travel somewhere too which I haven't had a chance to read yet but am looking forward to.
Posted by: Hattie Davies | July 18, 2007 at 07:03 PM
(I have a bit of a crush on AdB)
Posted by: pauline | July 18, 2007 at 07:40 PM
I adore that book and Alain de Botton. I only wish I could have made it to a reading :)
makes one fall in love with Proust all over again!
Posted by: stinkerbell | July 18, 2007 at 10:54 PM
I've admired and enjoyed Monsieur de B (the man AND his writing) for some time. A clever fellow who's not too full of himself. Imagine that. Have you tried Status Anxiety? Great fun. (BTW, I adore your blog. First time posting here.)
Posted by: nydm | July 19, 2007 at 12:24 AM
oh là là, me, too. yikes.
only that would probably KEEP me from working.
although (rationalizing, here) daydreams often fuel great poems...and my university-supplied housing for next year is pretty drab, in need of something for the walls. hmm.
Posted by: eireann | July 19, 2007 at 01:47 AM
Some friends and I are making our way through Proust together right now! It's lovely stuff.
Posted by: Luisa | July 19, 2007 at 01:53 AM
hmmm looks interesting as do the lovely old buildings, sigh I miss London...
sarah
newgreenshoes
Posted by: newgreenshoes | July 19, 2007 at 01:57 AM
lovely post Jane - I will be reading some AdB soon - by the way if you really want to make that image into a poster try this link:http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/. Free software that enables you to take any image and make it into a poster/you print it on your printer and put the pieces together. . . voila Alain de Botton poster on the wall.
Posted by: Ruthanne (in Seattle) | July 19, 2007 at 02:06 AM
My housemate at university had a school friend who was christened Serendipity... I wonder why?! Lovely name, though, especially to one christened Jayne...
I read 'Rememberence of Things Past' an awfully long time ago and I loved it. I now think I need to read A de B.
On hols in Star and Stripey land, but your pics made me a bit homesick for my lovely London....
Posted by: Jayne | July 19, 2007 at 02:52 AM
I'm so glad you didn't miss him after all. :o)
Posted by: Annalea | July 19, 2007 at 04:50 AM
I'm a big A de B fan too. I started reading his books in college. Have you ever read Kiss and Tell? It's so good. I just finished reading How Proust can change your life and I'm now reading The architect of happiness book. Very inspiring and mind opening. Did you know that Serendipity was voted British favourite word in 2006? Loved your post!
Posted by: Yvonne | July 19, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Jane, I'm happy and also jealous that you got to see (and hear--does he have a melodious voice as well?) M. de B..
I once heard Umberto Eco speak at NYU years ago. He's the "poilou menton" bearish type in appearance.
That didn't surprise me.
What surprised me was how jolly he was. His books are so byzantine and require your serious face to read.
He was hilarious.
Posted by: kathy merrick | July 19, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Oh, he's too cute, and I loved that book. I read it and felt, somehow, redeemed from the fact that I had started In Search of Lost Time about 15 times, and never made it much further than page 46. I even thought to myself, self, does this mean I can say I have read Proust? Sadly, the answer was, no.
Posted by: Liz | July 19, 2007 at 04:10 PM
As a lurker I wonder why there is always a plug for some store or author in this blog every week or so. It just begins to read like product placement advertising to this reader.
Posted by: Curious Minds Want to Know | July 19, 2007 at 04:36 PM
I'd just like to reassure anyone who reads the above comment that I value my independence, and do not receive any payment in cash or in kind for mentions of people, products, shops or websites on this blog.
Posted by: Jane | July 19, 2007 at 05:02 PM
I am I the only person who noticed the reference to 'my next book'?
Happy writing, Jane!
Posted by: alice c | July 19, 2007 at 10:19 PM
i haven't finished The Architecture of Happiness, but it is infinitely readable and thought-provoking.
Posted by: bekka | July 20, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Jane, is there a book of his in particular that you would recommend starting with?
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | July 20, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Jane, I actually think that you're just as good as M. de B at describing complex things with clearity. I hope you realise that!
Posted by: Naomi | July 22, 2007 at 05:28 AM